Incredibly India !!!

I N C R E D I B L Y    I N D I A ! ! !

Jordy, Felicity & I headed off in late Nov to New Delhi for a 3 week trip around Rajasthan in North Western India. Dust, dirt, pollution, congestion, garbage, touts and the amazing vibrancy of this part of the country. It could only be described as challenging and aweinspiring.

 This hotel (Jawadene B & B) near KL airport was probably the swankiest of all our hotels - just overnight near the airport while we were waiting for the plane to start our trip!!

Fatephur Siki or 'Tout City' 40 km from Agra. No peace here. "Sir, I do NOT want your money. You may shoot me if I ask you for money. Please you may shoot me, I do not want money. Sir, I tell you...' BANG!!!

Congested streets of Fatephur Sikri. 

 Jordy having a quick sitar lesson on the terrace of our hotel in Agra.

 We got to the Taj at 6.30am, up near the front of the queue and quickly sold ourselves to a guide - necessary protection from the other hundreds of eager experts lurking in the crevices. He took us on a quick spin then dashed off to assault more victims, leaving us to wander round the Taj unaccompanied. Ahhh bliss!!!!!

 After Agra, it was onto a sleeper train and off to Bundi a much quieter provincial town in the south eastern area of the state. This was the view of the tank from the roof top of the haveli (Kasera Paradise) where we stayed.

 The market streets just outside the old town gates. It was here we first met the vibrant colours of Rajasthan.

  A magnificent baori or step well, where women came to socialise and collect water -  an intricate part of traditional life and culture in this dry landscape.

 Indian streets - cows, camels, donkeys, pigs, bicycles, motorbikes, cars, tuk tuks, and more garbage and varieties of shit than you could possibly imagine.

  Bundi fort form our hotel at night.

...and  Bundi fort from our hotel during the day. This is as close as I got to it as I was busy holed up, having my obligatory dose of travellers' in the hotel room!

 Next stop Udaipur - Dream Heaven guest house. The budget option with the 5 star view. We looked around but nothing matched the views so Felicity went out and bought cleaning products and we stayed.

  The view of Udaipur palace and lake from our room and the awesome rooftop terrace. Not bad!

... and even more atmospheric at night

 The rooftop had many nooks and crannies in which to recline and enjoy the 270 degree views.

 Yep - cows, cars and motorbikes...

 Udaipur Palace Museum - we had a lovely day walking through the narrow winding corridors into the ornately decorated rooms of the Maharajah and his retinue.

 Saw a great folk dance in the court yard of a magnificent old haveli across the lake at Lal ghat.

 We took a day trip to Kumbalgarh Fort and Ranakpur, a famous Jain temple. The fort was perched high and afforded a magnificent panorama of the surrounding hills and valleys.

  Ranakpur by contrast was approached on a road that wove through a wooded valley . As we got closer we saw many of these black faced monkeys.

 Business in the streets of Udaipur.

 Final chai on the rooftop terrace at Dream Heaven.

 Next stop Jodphur. We stayed at Singhvi haveli in a quieter section of the old town. Jodhpur's narrow, labyrinthine streets felt medieval.

The blue houses of Jodhpur - apparently it also keeps the mossies away.

 Mehrangah fort at Jodhour. I  think  the best we saw in the trip. It is magnificently positioned on the top of a hill and has been maintained in excellent condition.

 They were busy filming a Bollywood the day we were there.

 Another view, looking back to the fort from the gardens.

 An amazing flying fox system has been set up by a British Outdoor adventure company. Who said the British weren't still in India? I was feeling off colour but Felicity & Jordy gave it a go. It was one of the highlights of the trip.

  We visited the Bishnoi villages. This lady offered us a sample of her opium tea!!!  The Bishnois don't cut down trees and have a special relationship with the land and animals. It was a very engaging day. 

 

 Lunch with a Bishnoi family.

 We stopped off for a bit of shopping at a textiles warehouse on the way back.

 Next stop Jaiselmer. This was one of a series of grand havelis built by a band of 5 or 7 brothers who made their money as merchants. A few of the havelis are still in excellent condition and now function as museums. The views from the roof were great.

 The streets of the old town in Jaiselmer. Lots of Indians wanted to be photographed with us. So we obliged.

 Inside one of the havelis. Amazing stonework and Persian windows.

 The streets of the old town in Jaiselmer. What do you see - yes - cows and bikes!!!

 Jaiselmer fort. For me a little disappointing - I liked Kumbalgarh and Mehrangah better.

 Interior of haveli .

 Jaiselmer streets.

 Oh ... quelle suprise... Need I say more?

 Jaiselmer bazaar.

 We hit the camels out at the Sam dunes. But it was a great experience (not for my butt though!) as it wasn't crowded and we slept out under the stars in the desert.

 These two took to the camel riding effortlessly. Maybe should get a couple for travelling to work.

 Afternoon in the Sam dunes.

 Morning, and was it cold - hence the head gear.

 Beds in the desert.

 Up, a quick bite of breakfast and back onto the camel!!

 ...see ya later, I'm going in the jeep!

 Last stop Shekawhati region. We stayed in the small town of Nawalgah.

Final meal on the way back to Delhi airport. A great meal too!